ELSA and Logitech Deliver New Level of Productivity to MCAD and Design Visualization Professionals using AutoCAD or Autodesk Mechanical Desktop

ELSAview 3D Extends Functionality to Include Support for Logitech's MAGELLAN 3D Controller

A/E/C Systems, Chicago, IL – June 2, 1998 -- ELSA Inc. and Logitech today announced that ELSAview 3D is now enabled to support Logitech’s MAGELLAN 3D controller. All GLoria board users can now manipulate 3D models in real-time taking advantage of Logitech’s intuitive 3D mouse. This solution offers MCAD and design visualization professionals. (architects, engineers, mapping professionals and CAD professionals) ease-of-use and flexibility while working in a 3D environment. Due to ELSAview 3D optimization’s for MAGELLAN 3D, users do not need to install drivers.

ELSAview 3D is a fully OpenGL solution for MCAD and design visualization professionals. A real-time 3D editor and viewer, ELSAview 3D is tightly integrated with AutoCAD^® R14, R13 and Autodesk Mechanical Desktop^™. ELSAview 3D can be used as a stand-alone application to read and write Open Inventor^™ and VRML formats. ELSAview 3D is available at no charge with all GLoria boards.

Logitech's MAGELLAN 3D controller, known as Space Mouse in Europe, provides interactive motion control of 3D graphics objects in up to six degrees of freedom simultaneously. It is extremely easy to use, and provides support for a wide range of CAD/CAM, CAE and visual simulation applications. ELSA's GLoria range of OpenGL professional graphics accelerators provide high performance solutions for all of these applications.

Quotes

"With its calibration-free opto-electronic sensors for highest accuracy and space-proven durability, Logitech's MAGELLAN 3D Controller represents leading-edge 3D input technology in the market for interactive control of 3D graphics objects in up to six degrees of freedom," said Max R. Herrmann, director of sales and marketing for 3D professional devices at Logitech. "ELSAview 3D is an outstanding real-time solution for AutoCAD and Autodesk Mechanical Desktop professionals seeking increased productivity and improved object comprehension through use of the MAGELLAN 3D Controller during three-dimensional work."

"ELSA is committed to providing the most compelling solutions to design and MCAD users, particularly those using AutoCAD and Autodesk Mechanical Desktop," said Thomas Neubert, vice president of sales and marketing at ELSA. "We can now provide users of ELSAview 3D greater ease-of-use and increased productivity while working in real-time 3D."

Logitech Information

Founded in 1981, Logitech designs, manufactures and markets human interface devices that connect people and computers in an intuitive and natural way. Retail and OEM product offerings include pointing devices such as mice and trackballs, control devices for entertainment and professional use, keyboards and digital video cameras. Logitech is headquartered in Fremont, California, and maintains regional headquarters in Romanel, Switzerland, and Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C. In addition, the company has manufacturing facilities in Asia and offices in major cities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Logitech International is a Swiss public company traded on the NASDAQ (LOGIY) and in Switzerland on the Zurich Stock Exchange under the symbols LOGN and LOGZ.

ELSA Software Advantage

Through the ELSA Software Advantage, customers can take advantage of a wide array of unique, high-performance drivers and utilities to enable GLoria accelerator boards to achieve maximum 2D/3D graphics performance. ELSA leverages its 16 years of experience in CAD and high-end graphics to create high-quality drivers to accelerate professional applications such as AutoCAD or 3D Studio MAX^®.

ELSA's custom drivers and tools are available to customers free-of-charge and are standard components with every ELSA GLoria graphics board. The latest drivers are available online from the ELSA web site at http://www.elsa.com, and are regularly updated on the ELSA WINNERware CD-ROM.

ELSA Information

ELSA Inc. is a subsidiary of ELSA AG, a stock company based in Aachen, Germany. Founded in 1980, ELSA has built a world-class reputation in high-performance 2D and 3D graphics solutions in addition to a wide ranging ISDN and videoconferencing product family.

The ELSA logo is a registered trademark of ELSA AG. All names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.